June 24, 2019
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What are the 5 Best Video Sharing Apps? – [2026 Updated]
Your smartphone is a miniature studio: you can record, edit and share video with the right app in seconds. But the landscape has changed completely — many older video-sharing apps (Klip, Keek, Qik, Vine) are long gone, so this guide covers the platforms that are genuinely worth installing, what each is best at, and their trade-offs. Use it as a starting point to pick the app that matches how you want to share.
Best Video Sharing Apps at a Glance
| App | Best for | Cost | Get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| TikTok | Short-form viral video, discovery | Free | Visit |
| Vimeo | Professional, ad-free hosting | Free + paid tiers | Visit |
| Dailymotion | General-purpose YouTube alternative | Free | Visit |
| Twitch | Live streaming (gaming & IRL) | Free + subs | Visit |
| 9GAG | Sharing & discovering funny clips | Free | Visit |
The Best Video Sharing Apps, Reviewed
TikTok
Pros
- Unmatched reach and discovery
- Excellent built-in editing tools
- Huge, engaged audience
Cons
- Short-form only
- Privacy and regional-availability questions
Best for: Going viral with short, creative clips.
Vimeo
Pros
- Ad-free, high-quality playback
- Granular privacy & password controls
- Great for portfolios and client work
Cons
- Best features are paid
- No discovery algorithm/large casual audience
Best for: Professionals who want control and a clean player.
Dailymotion
Pros
- YouTube-like variety, fewer restrictions
- Good embed player for websites
- Easier to trend without a big following
Cons
- Smaller audience than YouTube
- Daily upload limits
Best for: General-purpose hosting and embedding.
Twitch
Pros
- Best-in-class live streaming
- Strong monetization (subs, bits, ads)
- Highly engaged real-time community
Cons
- Built for live, not clip sharing
- Growth takes consistent streaming
Best for: Live streaming and real-time audience engagement.
9GAG
Pros
- Endless feed of funny clips
- Easy to share to other platforms
- Active, casual community
Cons
- Not a serious hosting platform
- Content skews meme/humor only
Best for: Sharing and discovering funny videos.
What About YouTube and Instagram?
Two giants sit alongside the five above. YouTube remains the default for discoverability, search and long-form video — if you want the widest possible audience, it’s still essential. Instagram Reels is TikTok’s biggest short-form rival and worth using if your audience already lives on Instagram. Most serious creators today don’t pick just one: they post to two or three and cross-share, so they never depend on a single algorithm.
How to Choose the Right Video App
- Short viral clips: TikTok first, Instagram Reels second.
- Professional or client work: Vimeo for the ad-free, controlled player.
- General uploads and website embeds: Dailymotion (or YouTube for max reach).
- Live streaming: Twitch.
- Just sharing funny clips with friends: 9GAG.
Setting up profiles across several of these? It helps to grab the same handle everywhere — our guide to checking username availability across social media makes that painless. And if you also create visual content, see our roundups of the best drawing apps for Android and best drawing apps for Chromebook.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best video sharing apps for iPhone?
TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Vimeo and Dailymotion all have excellent iOS apps. YouTube is the best all-round pick for any phone; TikTok leads for short-form.
Are there private video sharing options?
Yes. Vimeo offers strong privacy controls (password-protected and hidden videos), and business-focused platforms like Kaltura, Dacast and Panopto specialise in restricted, link-only sharing.
Which app is best for making money from video?
Twitch (subs, bits, ads) for live, YouTube for long-form ad revenue, and TikTok for reach that can be converted via its creator programs. Dailymotion and Vimeo also offer monetization.
What happened to apps like Klip, Keek and Qik?
They shut down years ago as the market consolidated around a handful of dominant platforms. The apps in this guide are the current, actively-maintained options.
Which is the best free video sharing app?
YouTube and TikTok are both free and cover the widest ground — long-form and short-form respectively. Dailymotion and 9GAG are free too.
October 12, 2022
Bilal Ahmad
Founder & Editor, TechMaish
Bilal Ahmad is the founder and editor of TechMaish, writing about consumer technology since 2008. For over 18 years he has covered streaming and downloads, games, social media platforms, iPhone and Android, Windows fixes and everyday software, testing tools hands-on and sharing what actually works. He is based in Peshawar, Pakistan.
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